Over $22,000 was raised and 1.5 tons of toys collected at this year’s Richmond Christmas Fund Toy Drive.
This marks a “significant increase” in toy donations, while cash donations nearly doubled due to a $10,000 donation, according to Richmond RCMP.
In total, $22,400 in cash was raised at the event, now in its seventh year.
Every year, Richmond RCMP partners with Richmond Cares, Richmond Gives (RCRG), which runs the Christmas Fund program, to collect toys to help underprivileged families celebrate the winter holidays.
“We are so fortunate that the donations for the toy drive continue to grow each year because so does the need within our community,” said Ed Gavsie, president and CEO of RCRG, in a statement.
In response to the $10,000 donation, made by a community sponsor, Richmond RCMP Chief Supt. Will Ng took the plunge into a dunk tank at the event, held in the Lansdowne Centre parking lot on Nov. 20.
Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie was the first to take aim at Ng, dunking him into the water with one well-aimed throw.
Other donors also took a shot at plunging Ng into the dunk tank.
Gavsie said that after seeing Ng go into the dunk tank, he knows “just what lengths (Richmond RCMP) are willing to go to make this event a success.”
Ng said the outpouring of generosity from Richmondites is “truly inspiring.”
“It means so much to me, the officers who organize this event and our detachment as a whole, to know that our commitment and passion for such a worthy cause is shared by our community,” he said in a statement.
Those still wishing to make donations can do so until Nov. 30 by visiting any of these toy drop locations:
- All Richmond Public Libraries
- The West Richmond Community Centre, 9180 No. 1 Road
- The Richmond RCMP Main Detachment, 11411 No. 5 Road
RCRG has also launched its second annual online auction, which runs until Dec. 6. More than 180 items including getaway packages can be found at rcf2021.givesmart.com.
